8 Things Parents Should Know About Disney’s Frozen

Yes! The odds are your kids will be able to relate to Anna, the chief protagonist, in her struggle to save the two things she loves most in the world — her home of Arendelle and her sister Elsa — from each other. That she’s quirky and a bit awkward will no doubt help. Kids can’t fail to enjoy Kristoff (the chief male character) in his interactions with Sven, his trusty reindeer companion, as they’re among the funniest parts of the film. The snowman character Olaf, whom I’m sure you and your kids have seen in the unavoidable merchandising for the film, doesn’t really appear (he sort of does, but he doesn’t really — you’ll understand when you see it) until well into the story, which might frustrate some kids if they were particularly looking forward to seeing him, but there’s enough entertainment until that point that I doubt many will care much.

2. Will I like it?

I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t. The characters all have some depth to them — even Olaf the snowman, who could easily have just been goofy comic relief. You will actually care about what happens to them, and likely be pleasantly surprised by an ending that feels more like an actual resolution than that of most Disney animated films. You’ll probably see the major plot twist coming, while your kids probably won’t, but that won’t detract from your appreciation of the way it’s handled.

3. It’s rated PG, not G. Anything I should be concerned about?

There are perhaps a few more moments of peril in Frozen than in many Disney films, but nothing beyond what most kids can handle. And the classic Disney formula of killing off at least one parent of the protagonist rears its head again as Anna and Elsa’s loving parents — the king and queen of Arendelle — die pretty early in the film (which is why this doesn’t count as a spoiler). Some kids may be frightened (or may possibly identify with, or both) Elsa’s inability to keep a hold on her freezing powers, but since I very much doubt any of them will turn into Snow Queens themselves, you’re probably all right.

4. Is it worth paying more for 3D?

I haven’t seen it in 2D for comparison, but I’d have to say “Yes.” The rendering of the ice palace was just breathtaking in 3D, and it definitely added useful depth to other scenery. There’s also a fair bit of humor involving Olaf that would probably not be as funny in 2D. More significantly, the new (and truly excellent) Mickey Mouse short that precedes the film would pretty much completely fail to work at all in 2D.

5. When’s the best time for a bathroom break?

It’s not a terribly long film — 108 minutes — but if your kids (or you) simply can’t wait, I’d suggest that going when the folks back in Arendelle decide to try to rescue Anna would be a good plan, as you’ll be able to pick up the action quickly when you get back.

6. How’s the voice talent?

In a word, terrific. Idina Menzel is amazing as Elsa, which seems all the more appropriate as the relationship between Elsa and Anna bears more than a little resemblance to that between Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked. Kristen Bell makes Anna seem very friendly and very capable, and does an excellent job considering that she’s in virtually every scene in the film. Jonathan Groff makes a fine Kristoff, and Josh Gad of Book of Mormon does a terrific job as Olaf — who could easily have been really annoying to adults, but honestly isn’t at all. The only other really standout voice is that of the Duke, done by the awesome Alan Tudyk, who seems to be able to do wonderful voices that are different enough from his normal one that you’d never know it was him without the credits.

7. Do I need to sit through the credits for a bonus scene at the end?

Yes, there’s a very funny quick scene at the end that you should definitely stay for. Also, pay attention to the disclaimers towards the end of the credits — trust me.

8. Will I want to see it again?

Very likely, yes. It was funny, touching, and beautiful, with several excellent songs. I have every confidence that it will, as it deserves to, join the list of classic Disney animated films for years to come. The addition of Anna to the list of official Disney Princesses should help with that. (It’s a curious coincidence that Disney is getting its twelfth Princess just as Doctor Who gets its twelfth Doctor… or is it a coincidence?)

Disclosure: I received free tickets to a preview screening of Frozen. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

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Matt Blum is Editor-in-Chief of GeekDad. He lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and two kids, all of whom are also geeks. In his day job Matt is a software engineer, and his many geeky interests include science fiction, the Muppets, LEGO, board games, video games, and bacon.

Ok I’m just going to say something …. I have NEVER EVER EVER watched anything so amazing ! I have downloaded all the songs , I watch things about frozen every day on YouTube and I am SO EXITED for the movie to come on DVD . I don’t care if it’s a ripoff I would still pay for it . I am going to watch it again soon. I saw a magazine today and I wanted it so bad :/ I am truly addicted. And for all you wondering to go and see it … Go to youtube , type let it go frozen and just listen to the song you will be blown away. THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE YOU WILL EVER SEE!!!!!!!!!! If Disney doesn’t continue this with a sequel or a 2nd frozen film I think I’d be disappointed. So Disney , if your reading this , PLEASE MAKE ANOTHER ! defiantly watch in 3d plus you get to see the new Mickey Mouse short 😉 this is an instant classic ! I love this film . And Olaf …..omg … That little guy can’t even be put to words …. AMAZING!!!!!!

This was the most beautifully animated and well-done storyline of any Disney movie in a while. I haven’t loved or enjoyed a Disney movie this much since Mulan. Elsa and Anna are amazing princesses and characters, and I’m in love with winter and snow all over again. I have to say that Elsa ended up my most favorite character, and this is one movie you wouldn’t want to miss. (And yes…such a masterpiece soundtrack to go with this amazing movie ^^)

Absolutely loved this film, one of the best Disney films I have seen for a very long time. It’s no wonder how well the film is doing, especially with the amount of money Disney pushed in to marketing the film over Christmas here in the UK.

I’ve seen it twice now with my little one, and I can’t figure out why it’s getting as great of reviews as it’s getting. It killed time, and was fine to watch, but it wasn’t as great as other animated kids movies out there. It had a lack of story (Like why does this girl have ice powers?) that left both my 6 year old and I asking questions at the end. Any if one blonde sister has cold powers, shouldn’t a red haired sister have heat powers?

The only thing I enjoyed more than this movie is everything else ever made. From start to finish, this is one of Disney’s laziest, blandest animated films ever made. The music was more mind-numbing than pleasant, there was little to no character development, and the script was extremely weak. On top of that, the animation looked on par with Saturday morning Disney CGI animation; again, not crisp at all. With the constant need to put out animated movies at a breakneck pace, I really don’t understand how this movie made so much money except for the fact that kids today will sit through nearly anything and parents have no backbone (to tell them, “No, we aren’t seeing it twenty times in theaters.”) Also, how is it that no one takes issue with the the guy being borderline schizophrenic, talking to and for a reindeer, a talking snowman that got irritating about five minutes in (not to mention the summer sequence which rang hollow in terms of Disney films), and the troll-thingies. And can we quit saying that “it’s such a good movie for young girls; see, you don’t need a man to rescue you.” Listen, that’s not Disney’s job to tell our daughters that; it’s ours. This movie didn’t do much of any of that anyway. “Take me to the top of the mountain.” “Help me once my heart is frozen.” You can’t deny that “Brave” did a much better job of telling young girls that you not only don’t need a man to rescue you, but you should build a strong relationship with your mother, too. This movie doesn’t even crack the Top 15 Disney animated movies of all time, even when I leave out Pixar films.

I thought it was terrible and will be happy when the fad ends. The ONLY thing worth recognizing is Idina Menzels incredible talent. If it weren’t for her voicing Else, this movie would very well have flopped!

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